A FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO THE FORUM

A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum
Quadrangle Films / United Artists, 1966, Color, 97 minutes, ***½
Released October, 1966

Something appealing. Something appalling. Something for everyone... a comedy tonight!

"One of the hottest burlesque shows that ever hit Broadway" (Time) comes to the screen, showcasing the enormous talents of Tony Award winner Zero Mostel, Phil Silvers, Jack Gilford, Buster Keaton and Michael Crawford (Broadway's The Phantom of the Opera). Featuring keenly clever tunes like "Comedy Tonight" and "Lovely," this wild Stephen Sondheim musical about a raucous gaggle of ancient Romans is a "flip, glib and sophisticated, yet rump-slappingly bawdy and fast-paced look at the seamy underside of classical Rome through hipster's shades" (Variety).

When a wily, witty, lying, lazy, cheating slave discovers that his master's son is in love with the girl next door - a virgin courtesan - he promises to help win her heart in exchange for his freedom. But the road to romance is blocked with stunning surprises, cunning disguises - and the wildest chariot race ever!
[from back of DVD case]

Not really a musical - it's a big screwball comedy with music, along the lines of "It's a Mad Mad Mad Mad World. Very funny movie!

Produced by: Melvin Frank
Directed by: Richard Lester
Screenplay by: Melvin Frank and Michael Pertwee
Based on the Stageplay produced by Harold S. Prince
Music and Lyrics by: Stephen Sondheim
Book by Burt Shevelove and Larry Gelbart
Musical Direction and Incidental Music by: Ken Thorne
Dances by: George and Ethel Martin
Production and Costumes Designed by: Tony Walton
Executive Art Director: Syd Cain
Make-Up: Trevor Crole-Rees, Jose Maria Sanchez
Hairdressing: Bernadette Ibbetson, Carmen Sanchez
Sound Recordists: Leslie Hammond, Gerry Humphreys
Sound Editors: Don Challis, Bill Butler
Director of Photography: Nicolas Roeg
Special Effects: Cliff Richardson
Color by De Luxe
Editor: John Victor Smith
Made at Bronston Studios, Madrid

Awards: Academy Award for Best Music, Scoring of Music, Adaptation or Treatment [Ken Thorne]

Cast: Zero Mostel [Pseudolus], Phil Silvers [Marcus Lycus], Buster Keaton [Erronius], Michael Crawford [Hero], Jack Gilford [Hysterium], Annette Andre [Philia], Michael Hordern [Senex], Leon Greene [Captain Miles Gloriosus], Roy Kinnear [Gladiator Instructor], Alfie Bass [Gatekeeper], John Bluthal [Roman Chief Guard], Pamela Brown [High Priestess], Patricia Jessel [Domina], Beatrix Lehmann [Domina's Mother], Frank Thornton, Peter Butterworth [Roman Sentries], Jennifer Baker [Geminae #1] and Susan Baker [Geminae #2], Ronnie Brody [Roman soldier], Lucienne Bridou [Panacea], Helen Funai [Tintinabula], Bill Kerr [Gladiator-in-Training], Jack May [Shopkeeper], Inga Neilsen [Gymnasia], Jon Pertwee [Crassus], Janet Webb [Fertilla], Myrna White [Vibrata]

Musical Program: [0:00] Comedy Tonight (sung by Zero Mostel and Chorus); [0:22] Lovely (sung by Annette Andre and Michael Crawford); [0:31] Everybody Ought to Have a Maid (sung by Michael Hordern, Zero Mostel, Jack Gilford and Phil Silvers); [0:48] My Bride (sung by Leon Greene, Girls' Chorus and Ensemble); [1:06] Lovely (sung by Zero Mostel and Jack Gilford); [1:11] The Dirge (sung by Leon Greene and Ensemble); [1:33] Comedy Tonight (reprised by the Company)